Sports ball valve

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a valve ( 10 ) comprising a mounting member ( 12 ) for mounting of the valve. The valve includes a collapsible aperture ( 20 ) which in an open condition allows for flow of a fluid in a forward direction through the valve whilst in a closed condition prevents flow of fluid in a reverse direction. In one form of the valve, the valve element is connected to the mounting member ( 12 ) via an isolation zone ( 22 ) that reduces likelihood of the collapsible aperture moving to an open condition under impact. In another form of the valve, the valve element is configured to provide opening of the collapsible aperture on application of a predetermined force to the mounting member. In a final form of the valve, the valve comprises a sports ball valve having a collapsible aperture which is opened by fluid pressure alone.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates broadly to a valve and relatesparticularly, though not exclusively, to a sports ball valve.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 show cross-sectional representations of a sports-ballvalve 1. The valve 1 is encased in a casing 2 that is glued or otherwisefixed to an inflatable bladder 3. The valve 1 includes an axiallydisposed and throughgoing passageway 4 having an expandable butotherwise normally closed valve port 5.

In operation the inflatable bladder 3 is inflated by a manual pump (notshown) to which an injector 6 is threadably connected 4. The injector 6is, as best shown in FIG. 2, pushed through the passageway 4 of thevalve 1 so that it penetrates the expandable port 5. The valve 1 forms aseal about the injector 5 to limit the escape of air during inflation ofthe bladder 3.

This conventional sports ball valve 1 suffers from at least thefollowing drawbacks:

1. forcing the injector 6 into the valve passageway 4 and penetrationthrough the expandable port 5 damages the material of the valve 1resulting in leakage;

2. forcing the injector 6 through the valve 1 when the bladder isdeflated is known to puncture the opposing side of the bladder renderingit useless;

3. the injector 6 may during this relatively forceful insertion processor during inflation of the bladder 3 be snapped off within the valve 1;and

4. the sports ball cannot be inflated without an injector which may notalways be readily available.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a sports ball valvecomprising:

a mounting member being adapted to provide for mounting of the valve;and

a valve element connected to the mounting member and being of a conicalor frusto-conical shape having its reduced diameter portion directed ina forward flow direction, the valve element including a collapsibleaperture located at or adjacent the reduced diameter portion and whichin an open condition allows for flow of a fluid in the forward directionthrough the valve whilst in a closed condition the collapsible apertureprevents flow of the fluid in a reverse direction, the collapsibleaperture being opened by the fluid pressure alone.

The sports ball valve is preferably arranged for inflation withoutpenetrating the valve element or collapsible aperture with an injectorthereby avoiding damage to the valve element and adjoining components.

The sports ball valve may be configured to provide opening of thecollapsible aperture on application of a predetermined axial force tothe mounting member.

Suitably, the sports ball valve includes an isolation zone disposedintermediate the mounting member and the valve element and beingconfigured to reduce the likelihood of inadvertent opening of thecollapsible aperture on application of operational forces to themounting member. In a preferred form of the first aspect of the presentinvention, the isolation zone includes a peripheral recess at which thecross-sectional area of the valve is reduced. Suitably, the isolationzone is approximately 30 to 80% of the maximum cross-sectional area ofthe conical or frusto-conical-shaped valve element.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a valve comprising:

a mounting member being adapted to provide for mounting of the valve;and

a valve element including a collapsible aperture which in an opencondition allows for flow of a fluid in a forward direction through thevalve whilst in a closed condition the collapsible aperture preventsflow of fluid in a reverse direction, the valve element being connectedto the mounting member via an isolation zone that reduces likelihood ofthe collapsible aperture moving to the open condition under impact.

Suitably, the collapsible aperture of the second aspect of the presentinvention is arranged to open under fluid pressure alone.

The valve of the second aspect of the present invention may compriseanother mounting member, the other mounting member being connected tothe mounting member via one or more of the isolation zones or additionalisolation zones which allow the mounting member and the other mountingmember to move substantially independently of each other.

The valve element is preferably at least in part formed from a resilientmaterial. Suitably, the isolation zone is more flexible than the valveelement. The isolation zone may comprise an annular recess at which thecross-sectional area of the valve is reduced. In a preferred form theisolation zone comprises a narrowed neck portion of the valve whichjoins the mounting member and valve element. The cross-sectional area ofthe valve at the isolation zone is preferably approximately 30 to 80% ofthe maximum cross-sectional area of the valve element The isolation zonemay be one of two or more isolation zones.

The mounting member and other mounting member may be connected to, orarranged for connection to, a mounting surface. One of the mountingsurfaces may be connected to or form part of a first vessel. Another ofthe mounting surfaces may be connected to or form part of a secondvessel.

The one or more additional isolation zones may comprise a flexiblesleeve that surrounds at least in part the isolation zone of the valveelement. The flexible sleeve may comprise a sleeve which is extendableand contractible in an axial direction.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a valve comprising:

a mounting member being adapted to provide for mounting of the valve;and

a valve element connected to the mounting member and including acollapsible aperture which in an open condition allows for flow of afluid in a forward direction through the valve whilst in a closedcondition the collapsible aperture prevents flow of the fluid in areverse direction, the valve element being configured to provide openingof the collapsible aperture on application of a predetermined force tothe mounting member.

Suitably, the valve element of the second and third aspects of thepresent invention is of a conical or frusto-conical shape having itsreduced diameter portion directed in the forward flow direction and thecollapsible aperture is located at or adjacent the reduced diameterportion.

The collapsible aperture of the second and third aspects of the presentinvention may be arranged to receive an injector.

The mounting member of the second and third aspects of the presentinvention may be connected to, or arranged for connection to, aninflatable bladder.

Suitably, the mounting member is either disc-shaped or in the form of acylinder connected to and coaxial with the conical or frusto-conicalshaped valve element.

Suitably, application of said predetermined force to the mounting memberinvolves applying a predetermined axial force which promotes opening ofthe collapsible aperture for inflation of the ball. Application of saidpredetermined axial force to the mounting member may promote deflationof the ball.

The mounting member is preferably formed integral with the valve elementso that the valve is of a one-piece construction.

The valve may be formed predominantly of a polymeric or rubber material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In order to achieve a better understanding of the nature of the presentinvention a preferred embodiment of a valve will now be described, byway of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are cross-sectional views of a conventional sports ballvalve;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational, sectional and bottom view of a valveaccording to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a valveaccording to the invention;

FIG. 5 is an elevational, sectional and inverted plan view of a furthervalve according to the invention;

FIG. 6 is an elevational and sectional view of yet another embodiment ofa valve of the invention;

FIG. 7 are schematic cross-sectional and plan views of yet furtherembodiments of valves according to the invention; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional, plan and photographic representation of yetanother embodiment of a valve according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

As shown in FIG. 3 there is a valve 10 of one embodiment of theinvention which according to this particular aspect is designed to beinstalled in a sports ball (not shown). This sports ball valve 10comprises a mounting member designated generally as 12 and a valveelement 14.

The mounting member 12 includes a relatively thin disc having anincreased wall thickness toward its axis. The mounting member 12 isconnected or in this example formed integral with the valve element 14which is frusto-conical in shape. The valve 10 includes an axiallydisposed passageway 16 which is throughgoing. The passageway 16 isshaped generally cylindrical at the mounting member 12 and tapersinwardly to form a wedge-shaped portion 18 within the valve element 14.The wedge-shaped portion 18 is then formed continuous with a collapsibleand generally rectangular-shaped aperture 20 which extends through thevalve element 14 and exits the reduced diameter portion of the cone.

The sports ball valve 10 of this embodiment includes an isolation zonelocated intermediate the mounting member 12 and the valve element 14. Inthis particular embodiment the isolation zone comprises a peripheralrecess 22. The peripheral recess 22 is generally circular incross-section and has a cross-sectional area approximately 50% of thatof the maximum cross-sectional area of the valve element 14. The sportsball valve is as such of a bulbous configuration.

In use, the isolation zone reduces the sensitivity of the collapsibleaperture 20 to external operational forces applied to the ball, forexample from bouncing, kicking or passing of the sports ball. Thecollapsible aperture 20 is thus less likely to inadvertently open as aresult of these operational forces which result in pressure loss fromthe sports ball.

The sports ball valve 10 of this embodiment is constructed of arubber-like material. The valve 10 is of a one-piece construction andthe rubber-like material serves to bias the collapsible aperture 20 intoa closed condition.

The sports ball valve 10 is fitted to a sports ball or sports ballbladder in a traditional manner where for example it is glued orotherwise adhered to an inner surface of the ball or bladder. The sportsball valve 10 is designed to be used without an injector whereupon theinflating pressure alone of the inflation fluid, most typically air,serves to open the collapsible aperture 20 into its open condition.Otherwise, the collapsible aperture 20 is biased in a normally closedcondition. In one example a manual air pump (without an injector) ispressed against the inlet of the passageway 16 and on inflation theinflating fluid which is forced into the passageway 16 expands thecollapsible 20 aperture and inflates the sports ball.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a sports ball valve 30 of the presentinvention which is identical to the valve 10 except that it has twoisolation zones in form of recesses 32 rather than the recess 22. Thevalve 30 is therefore less sensitive to external operational forces thanthe valve 10.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a valve 36 which is describedby reference to the sports ball valve 10 of FIG. 3. Likes features ofvalves 10 and 36 are referred to by common reference numerals. The valve36 comprises a valve element 14 which is attached to a mounting member12 via an isolation zone having a peripheral recess 22. The valve 36also includes another mounting member generally designated as 38 whichis connected to the mounting member 12 via additional isolation zonesdesignated generally as 40. The mounting members 12 and 38 form part ofrespective inner and outer vessels (not shown). The isolation zones 40allow the mounting members 12 and 38 to move a small amountindependently of each other to minimise transferral of operationalforces between the outer and inner vessels.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of a valve 46 which is also described byreference to the sports ball valve 10 of FIG. 3. Like features of thevalve 10 and 46 are referred to by common reference numerals. The valve46 includes a valve element 14 and mounting member 12 connected via anisolation zone having a peripheral recess 22, as described above inrelation to valves 10 and 36. The valve 46 also includes anothermounting member generally designated as 48 which is connected to themounting member 12 via a flexible sleeve in the form of a flexible tube50. The mounting members 48 and 12 may form part of respective inner andouter vessels as described above in relation to the valve 36. The innervessel of the valve 46 may for example be a water or fuel tank and theflexible tube 50 may provide access to the tank via an associated outervessel which may for example comprise a housing of the inner vessel.

As shown in FIG. 7 there are further examples of a valve such as 70which are preferably in the form of sports ball valves. These areessentially variants of the sports ball valve 10 of FIG. 3 but withoutthe isolation zone or periphery recess 22. The alternate sports ballvalves 70 each include a mounting member designated generally as 72connected to and in this example formed integral with a valve element74. The mounting member 72 is a disc-shaped member and is connectedcoaxially with the valve element 74 which is conical in shape. Thevalves 70 each include a throughgoing and axially located passageway 76.The passageway 76 includes a cylindrical portion located at thedisc-shaped mounting member 72 and extending into the valve element 74whilst being formed continuous with a collapsible aperture 78. Thecollapsible aperture 78 exits the conical-shaped valve element 74 at itsapex. The collapsible aperture 78 comprises a single slit. However, thecollapsible aperture 78 may comprise multiple slits that intersect at aline which is coaxial with the valve element 74 and exits the valveelement 74 at its apex.

The valves 70 of FIG. 7 are similarly designed to be inflated relying onthe inflating fluid pressure alone without the need for an injector. Ina similar manner to the described inflation of the sports ball valve ofFIG. 3, these alternate sports ball valves 70 are inflated by applyingthe manual inflation pump (or other inflation means) to the sports ballso as to apply sufficient fluid pressure to the passageway 76 to expandthe collapsible aperture 78. These ball valves 70 are also designed sothat application of a predetermined and axially directed force to themounting member 72 within a circular region 80 promotes opening of thecollapsible aperture 78. The predetermined force is relatively high andexceeds that which may under normal working conditions be applied to thesports ball when it is bounced, kicked or passed. This application ofthe predetermined force to the mounting member 72 promotes opening ofthe collapsible aperture 78 either during inflation of the sports ballor so as to partly or fully deflate the sports ball.

FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of a valve 90 which according tothis aspect of the invention is designed to be fitted to an inflatabletyre (either tubed or tubeless). The tyre valve 90 is in this exampledesigned to replace a conventional Schrader valve design. The tyre valve90 is fitted to a screw-threaded adapter 92 which allows it to be fittedto an existing tyre installation.

The tyre valve 90 is of a one-piece construction and fabricated from apolymer material. The valve 90 includes a mounting member 94 formedintegral with a valve element 96. The mounting member 94 is generallycylindrical in shape and includes an inwardly directed flange 98 whichengages a complementary-shaped recess 100 within the adapter 92. Thevalve element 96 is a relatively thick walled and conically-shapedmember having a collapsible and coaxially located aperture 102.

A bike tyre (not illustrated) containing a tube having a threaded valvestem to which the tyre valve 90 is fitted. The tyre is inflated by theintroduction of pressurised fluid into the collapsible aperture 102 soas to expand it and inflate the tyre. The adapter 92 includes an inletport 104 to which inflating fluid pressure is applied for opening of thecollapsible aperture 102. The adapter 92 is designed for connection to astandard inflation coupling (not shown) to which a pneumatic air supplyis connected. The tyre valve 90 is thus actuated by the inflating fluidpressure alone without the need for an injector.

Now that a preferred embodiment of the present invention has beendescribed in some detail, it will be apparent to those skilled in theart that the valve has at least the following advantages over theadmitted prior art:

1. The valve can be actuated or opened relying on the inflating fluidpressure alone and as such an injector is not required;

2. The valve is relatively simply in construction;

3. The valve is designed and configured to reduce leakage or flow in thereverse direction; and

4. The valve can in an alternate construction be deflated or opened byapplication of a predetermined force to its mounting member.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention describedherein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than thosespecifically described. For example, the valve need not be of aone-piece construction as described and it may be fabricated from anysuitable material depending on the application and working parameters.The specific shape and configuration of the valve need not be limited tothat described and illustrated but rather extends to otherconfigurations which are within the scope of the broadest aspects of theinvention.

All such variations and modifications are to be considered within thescope of the present invention the nature of which is to be determinedfrom the foregoing description.

1. A sports ball valve comprising: a mounting member being adapted toprovide for mounting of the valve; and a valve element connected to themounting member and being of a conical or frusto-conical shape havingits reduced diameter portion directed in a forward flow direction, thevalve element including a collapsible aperture located at or adjacentthe reduced diameter portion and which in an open condition allows forflow of a fluid in the forward direction through the valve whilst in aclosed condition the collapsible aperture prevents flow of the fluid ina reverse direction, the collapsible aperture being opened by the fluidpressure alone.
 2. A sports ball valve as claimed in claim 1 arrangedfor inflation without penetrating the valve element or collapsibleaperture with an injector.
 3. A sports ball valve as claimed in claim 1or claim 2 wherein the valve element is configured to provide opening ofthe collapsible aperture on application of a predetermined axial forceto the mounting member.
 4. A sports ball valve as claimed in any one ofthe preceding claims wherein the valve includes an isolation zonedisposed intermediate the mounting member and the valve element andbeing configured to reduce the likelihood of inadvertent opening of thecollapsible aperture on application of operational forces to themounting member.
 5. A sports ball valve as claimed in claim 4 whereinthe isolation zone includes a peripheral recess at which thecross-sectional area of the valve is reduced.
 6. A sports ball valve asclaimed in either claims 4 or 5 wherein the isolation zone isapproximately 30 to 80% of the maximum cross-sectional area of theconical or frusto-conical-shaped valve element.
 7. A sports ball valveas claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the mountingmember is either disc-shaped or in the form of a cylinder connected toand coaxial with the conical or frusto-conical shaped valve element. 8.A valve comprising: a mounting member being adapted to provide formounting of the valve; and a valve element including a collapsibleaperture which in an open condition allows for flow of a fluid in aforward direction through the valve whilst in a closed condition thecollapsible aperture prevents flow of fluid in a reverse direction, thevalve element being connected to the mounting member via an isolationzone that reduces likelihood of the collapsible aperture moving to theopen condition under impact.
 9. A valve as claimed in claim 8 whereinthe collapsible aperture is arranged to open under fluid pressure alone.10. A valve as claimed in claim 8 wherein the collapsible aperture isarranged to receive an injector.
 11. A valve as claimed in any one ofclaims 8 to 10 wherein the valve element is at least in part formed froma resilient material.
 12. A valve as claimed in claim 11 wherein theisolation zone is more flexible than the valve element.
 13. A valve asclaimed in any one of claims 8 to 12 wherein the isolation zonecomprises an annular recess at which the cross-sectional area of thevalve is reduced.
 14. A valve as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 13wherein the isolation zone comprises a narrowed neck portion of thevalve which joins the mounting member and the valve element.
 15. A valveas claimed in either of claims 13 or 14 wherein the cross-sectional areaof the valve at the isolation zone is approximately 30 to 80% of themaximum cross-sectional area of the valve element.
 16. A valve asclaimed in any one of claims 8 to 15 wherein the isolation zone is oneof two or more isolation zones.
 17. A valve as claimed in any one ofclaims 8 to 16 comprising another mounting member, the other mountingmember being connected to the mounting member via one or more of theisolation zones or additional isolation zones which allow the mountingmember and other mounting member to move substantially independently ofeach other.
 18. A valve as claimed in claim 17 wherein the mountingmember and other mounting member are connected to, or arranged forconnection to, a mounting surface.
 19. A valve as claimed in claim 18wherein one of the mounting surfaces is connected to or forms part of afirst vessel.
 20. A valve as claimed in claim 19 wherein another of themounting surfaces is connected to or forms part of a second vessel. 21.A valve as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 20 wherein the one or moreadditional isolation zones comprise a flexible sleeve that surrounds atleast in part the isolation zone of the valve element.
 22. A valve asclaimed in claim 21 wherein the flexible sleeve comprises a sleeve whichis extendable and contractible in an axial direction.
 23. A valvecomprising: a mounting member being adapted to provide for mounting ofthe valve; and a valve element connected to the mounting member andincluding a collapsible aperture which in an open condition allows forflow of a fluid in a forward direction through the valve whilst in aclosed condition the collapsible aperture prevents flow of the fluid ina reverse direction, the valve element being configured to provideopening of the collapsible aperture on application of a predeterminedforce to the mounting member.
 24. A valve as claimed in either of claims3 or 23 wherein application of said predetermined force to the mountingmember promotes opening of the collapsible aperture for inflation of theball.
 25. A valve as claimed in either of claims 3 or 23 whereinapplication of said predetermined force to the mounting member promotesdeflation of the ball.
 26. A valve as claimed in any one of thepreceding claims wherein the mounting member is formed integral with thevalve element so that the valve is of a one-piece construction.
 27. Avalve as claimed in any one of the preceding claims formed predominantlyof a polymeric or rubber material.
 28. A valve as claimed in any one ofclaims 8 to 27 wherein the mounting member is connected to, or isarranged for connection to, an inflatable bladder.
 29. A valve asclaimed in any one of claims 8 to 28 wherein the valve element is of aconical or frusto-conical shape having its reduced diameter portiondirected in the forward flow direction and the collapsible aperture islocated at or adjacent the reduced diameter portion.
 30. A vessel havinga valve as claimed in any one of claims 8 to
 29. 31. A sports ballhaving a valve as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 30.